12 days to Steelhead!

When I first started this thing, I knew I would struggle in keeping it up to date. It appears my thoughts were prophetic because here I am 2 months later without a blog post. :)


I can’t believe my half-ironman is only 12 days away! I promise to give a full report of how it goes shortly after the race.

Until then, I should probably give a quick update on the last couple of months. This has turned out to be a rather difficult year. Once I recovered from my surgery, my dad was in and out of the hospital with respiratory issues. Turns out he had a blood clot in his lung at one point…but even now that his blood is thin, he still has difficulty on occasion. At the end of June, he was taken to the Emergency Room since he could not breathe. He stayed overnight. The next day, while my sister Lauren, and her fiancé, Brian, were on their way to see my dad in the hospital, they were in a serious motorcycle accident. They both have a long road to recovery ahead of them….but they will live! At the end of the day, that is all that really matters.

While I am not going to go into all of the details of all the various hospitalizations, I will take this time to express things I am truly grateful for:

• My family! We don’t always get along (actually most of the time we don’t), but in difficult times, we always manage to be there for each other. It is times like this that I am thankful to have such a big family.

• My faith in Jesus Christ! It is the hard times in life, when I am humbled to my knees, that I feel his love the most. Without that love, it would be very difficult to have a positive outlook on life during the bad/hard times.

• My mom and dad! I know I already said I am thankful for my family, but my parents are in a class of their own. I truly am the luckiest girl in the world.

• My Job. I have a job that I enjoy, and a paycheck that pays the bills. It doesn’t get any better than that.

• My dog. I have the craziest little dog, but I love her so much! She is a welcome distraction when life gets hard…she loves me no matter what!

• My health. Despite the few medical issues I have, they don’t stop me from doing the things that I love! I love triathlons! While it is frequently difficult to run, and sometimes it is even difficult to bike, I know that the bad days will be followed by amazing days in the near future. That gives me hope and makes the good days all the better.

• Sundays! With all of the different things going on with my family, it had been a while since I had been to my Ward at church. But I was able to go yesterday and it was fabulous! I did quite a bit of scripture study before hand, and even took a nap. Church isn’t until 3 in the afternoon, so I had a lot of time. :) I love that I don’t train on Sundays. It is a day of relaxation and spiritual fulfillment. While I like to think I am spiritually filled every day, there is definitely a difference on Sundays.

• IRONMAN TRIATHLON! Obviously I am training for an Ironman Triathlon. Having this goal has kept me focused. It drives me to work harder at the gym. It has forced me to figure out some of my medical issues. It gives me something to look forward to…I know that I am doing something with my life. I have a really big goal, and I am working incredibly hard at achieving it. How many people can say that?





 

Bike + Me + Pavement = My First Fall! :)

I have officially had my first fall! I know this sounds weird, but I am really excited about it. I feel like a real athlete now...or something like that. Everyone thought it was strange I hadn't fallen off my bike yet...especially now that I am using pedals that you have to clip in and out of.

I was trying to take a hill at too high of a gear. I began slowing down and eventually couldn't go anymore. I knew I was going to have to get off the bike before it started going backwards. I was able to unclip my left pedal...but unfortunately gravity pulled me to the right.

I must say though...they were right! Everyone will fall at some point when you use these kind of pedals. They were also mostly right about the only thing that will hurt is your ego. I definitely have a scraped up leg, and bruised thigh and shoulder...but I guess the biggest thing hurt was certainly my ego. We all need to be humbled from time to time. :)

The only other downside is that the fall messed up my timing. On my old bike I was very good at fixing the chain when it would come off. However, on the new bike I had never had to do that. So it took me quite a while to get it back on. So my 20 mile planned bike ride became 12. Oh well...still a great morning, and some great lessons were learned.

Lessons learned this morning on my bike:

• Keep your mouth closed when going at high speeds...keeps the bugs out.
• Wear sunglasses...even if it isn't sunny...again, keeps the bugs out.
• Downshift before you hit a hill...even if you think you can make it.
• If you begin to slow way down on a hill...get off your bike and walk it. If you try to keep going, make sure you can clip out before you start to roll backwards.
• Learn how to unclip from the right side first...just in case you fall on that side.

The past few months....

I have not been very diligent about updating my blog the last few months. I do have lots of updates though....so here it goes.

DC was rocked by snow storms that wiped out a lot of training in the months of January and February. I did get some great upper body workouts in...not just from shoveling snow, but also from pushing cars.

I took a Chi Running workshop at the end of February. It was awesome! I learned how to run more efficiently and also injury free. Once I master this form and technique, I shouldn’t have the same feet problems I have been having.

By March, I was starting to get back in the training groove. I knew I was going to have to work very hard in order to be ready for the OC Half Marathon in April. Also had to continue the multi-sport training for my July Half-Ironman.

I volunteered to be a bike marshall for the Washington DC Marathon on March 20^th. I was asked to escort the lead Female Marathon runner. Krista was the lead for the entire second half of the 26.2 mile run. She was awesome! It was a bit slow for me as I was on a bike, but it was such a neat experience I really didn’t mind it. I learned a couple of things from this….1) I can be comfortable on a bike for 3+ hours. 2) I love riding a bike! This was possibly the first time I loved riding a bike…don’t get me wrong….I love my new bike. But during this ride, I fell in love with cycling. :)

My friend Sarah completed the half-marathon that day. She is amazing…we were able to ride together which made me happy. Here are some pics with Krista (the girl that ended up winning the Marathon, and Sarah).

The very next day I began feeling really sick. I figured I had accidently eaten some soy or something, because it just felt like a little stomach bug. I went to church (it was Stake Conference so I am really glad I didn’t miss it). Then, I went to my parent’s house because I told my parents I would help them with some wedding stuff. As I drove, I became more and more ill, and in a lot of pain. I was having difficulty breathing and moderate chest pains. I continued to brush it off as an allergic reaction to something I had eaten….which happens on a regular basis. Very long story made very short = I was taken to the emergency room that night because by then it was very difficult to breathe and I needed oxygen. It ended up only being my gallbladder...which had to be surgically removed. Therefore my training plan was thrown way off!

Since they had to cut part of my muscle, I am still trying to build up to where I was a month ago. The OC Half Marathon was this past weekend. I had already signed up for it back in December, so what the heck...I decided I should at least try to walk it. Well, I unfortunately only finished half but I ran a lot! I don't have any regrets for trying it...it was way better than watching from the side lines. Plus I got to ride in a cop car the second half, and was still able to be at the finish line for Katrina. All in all it was a great day. My friends, Katrina, Matt, and Melissa all finished it! I am really happy for them. I am sad to say I didn't take a single photo. Definitely next time. :)

That spin session was no joke...

WOW! That was one of the best workouts I have had in a long time!! Andy MacDonald is an amazing coach and motivator. He really knows how to push you to your full potential. I am so glad I didn’t chicken out this weekend. The people that I met in the DC Tri Club seem really cool. I look forward to doing more with them.

I can’t believe I am brave enough to sign up for next week’s session…but I am number 17 on the list (and there are only 17 openings) so no turning back now! ;)

DC Tri Club Spin Session

One of the benefits of being in a local tri-club is the occasional free training session with a USA Triathlon Coach. I have always wanted to take advantage of this, but have never had the time. Also, I was always embarrassed to take my hybrid bike…but I no longer have that as an excuse.

This Saturday there is a session at Conte’s (the place I bought my bike). I was really looking forward to it. But yesterday the coach posted the following message:

“So, for those of you that have taken this with me before, I intend to “up” the tempo from the last two off-seasons and take a very special interest in seeing everyone suffer equally. And as in the past, yes you may throw water bottles at me. Let me recommend bringing a towel or two (one for you and one to keep over your headset), much-o fluid, and anything else that you would use for your own indoor session. And as you’re taking part in this well-orchestrated session of misery, I, of course, will be walking around with coffee and stopwatch in-hand.” – Andy

While I still realize this is an awesome opportunity to take advantage of some coaching with a small group (only 17 spots were available), I am TERRIFIED! My bike is brand new and I have barely put 100 miles on it…who knows how many miles we will put on our bikes in this two hour torture session!?!

My goal at the moment is to avoid the temptation of backing out. I have to stop telling myself how many other people would die for my spot…I need to start telling myself how awesome it is that I have a spot! :)

I finally bought a new bike! :)

After months of saving up and searching, I have finally invested in a new road bike. All along I wanted a Cannondale. It all ended up working out and I even got a pretty one! Well, I think it is pretty…it is blue! It even has a carbon frame which is awesome and makes it super light.

I even got a set of clip on aero bars for Christmas! It is going to take time using those…but it is going to take even more time familiarizing myself with the shoes and pedals. It is very awkward being clipped in. I haven’t fallen yet, but I am trying to do a lot of my training on the trainer before riding outside.

On Tuesday I am getting a custom bike fit to make sure everything is adjusted to fit me perfectly. I am really looking forward to that.

I registered! What was I thinking?!?! 13.1 and 70.3 here I come!

I am officially registered for two big events in 2010. The Ocean City Maryland Half Marathon on Saturday, April 24 and the Steelhead Half Ironman on Saturday, July 31.

There is no turning back now. I have paid my non-refundable registration fees and am fully committed to going the distance.

For those of you that don’t know, a half marathon is a 13.1 mile run. A half Ironman is a 1.2 mile swim, followed by a 56 mile bike ride, and ending with a 13.1 mile run (or half marathon).

I am super psyched! I will keep you all posted on how the training is going.

It's my life...

I had a great workout at the gym this morning!

Toward the end of my workout, Bon Jovi’s song “It’s My Life” came on. It was the exact song I needed to push me to finishing strong! In case you have never really listened to the lyrics, here is a video with the lyrics:



I love it when you have heard a song a million times, and then one day it just speaks to your heart. That definitely happened to me today!

This is my life! I am the only one that has the power to decide how I am going to act… am I going to get out of bed as soon as my alarm goes off, am I going to exercise today, am I going to eat right and get the proper servings of fruits and vegetables, am I going to be kind to others, am I going to smile through the pain of fibromyalgia, am I going to take the stairs instead of the elevator, am I going to bypass the vending machine on my way to lunch, am I going to call up my sister and tell her I love her??

There are a million more, but I think you get the idea. Every day is a choice…it’s my life, am I going to waste it?

“I ain’t gonna live forever…I just want to live while I’m alive, ‘Cause it’s my life!”

Ocean City Half Marathon

It looks like I will be doing my first half marathon on April 24, 2010 in Ocean City Maryland. I am really excited, but also really nervous. I am still very weak on my feet, and with only 166 days to go until race day, I need to start working really hard at building up my endurance in the run.

I plan on running 3 miles with hill repeats tonight...what better way to start training for a half marathon than to mix it up with some hills?? I love it!

I joined Twitter!

Find me on twitter....ironmanb430.

I will be tweeting various training info and also motivational stuff that helps push me along. I can't promise it will be interesting...but hey, if you are reading my blog, then I promise it won't be any worse than this! :)

Race the weekend before the 2010 Election???

So it looks like Ironman has added a Saturday HIM (Half Ironman)! This is great news!! The even greater news is that it is in Florida...Miami to be exact. I really want to do this race!

The down side is that it is the Saturday before the 2010 Election. I would need to head down to Florida by Wednesday at the latest...not sure what my boss would think of that. However, a lot of what I do would be wrapped up by then, so maybe it would fly? I am going to be meeting with my boss next week, and hopefully I will let this little dilemma come up.

So assuming I am able to get past the whole work thing...I would be super psyched about this race! I would not need a wet-suit...which let's face it, is pretty awesome. The bike is pretty flat, I mean it is Florida after all. The one down side is that it will be super hot during the run. But hey, I can deal with a little heat. :)

I would definitely rather do this one over the one in Boise! We shall see how the next few weeks pan out at work. I will keep you posted.

This whole raw food thing isn't that bad!

Today is Day 5 on the whole raw food thing. My goal is two weeks... Here is how it has gone so far:



Day 1: My juicer broke Monday morning. I thought about pushing my start date back a week, since the juicer is pretty important! But instead I just ate what I needed to, and exchanged my juicer that night. It tended to complicate things a bit, but in the end I am really glad I decided to stick to the original plan of starting on Monday October 19 no matter what!

Day 2: Nothing really happened that was overly memorable on day 2. My roommates and I went out for ice cream with some friends that night, so that was my first real challenge. I really wanted some ice cream! I don't even like ice cream that much so I thought it was funny that I was so tempted to sneak a bite! :)


Day 3: This was the first really hard day. While I still didn't feel hungry, I am eating LOTS, it was the first day I started getting really tired of the fruits and vegetables. I tried eating some raw almonds and they are not good. I usually have baked, salted ones.



Day 4: Everything really started to catch up. I don't know how people do this 100% for their entire life!

Oh well... Maybe I will do it every other week or something.

Raw Food Diet...

Has anyone ever tried a raw food diet?

Well, I am going to start one on Monday October 19...no if's, and's, or but's.

Wish me luck!

I'm done being ordinary...

I want to start being extraordinary!

It doesn't matter how the world sees us. How do we see ourselves? If we see ourselves as being simply ordinary, then that is all we are. However, if we see ourselves as being extraordinary then we are. It is that simple.

What makes someone extraordinary?

Ordinary people want to make money, extraordinary people want to make a difference. I want to make a difference! I want to become an Ironman so that I can motivate others to set and go after seemingly impossible goals.

This raises another question. How do we make a difference? There is no right or wrong answer to this one. I think we all have opportunities to make a difference. How many of us take advantage of them? I know I am certainly guilty of letting some opportunities pass me by. One of my favorite quotes is "Opportunities don't disappear, they go to those who seize them!"

If we want to stop being ordinary, and start being extraordinary we have to start seizing opportunities when they knock at our door.

Have you made a difference today? Do you see yourself as being extraordinary? Have you made someone smile today? Sometimes that is all it takes.

Ironman 70.3 Boise

So as many of you know I don't train or race on Sundays. This is very difficult as I only have Saturdays to do long rides/runs. It also complicates race selection since so many events are held on Sundays...especially in the world of Ironman.

I think I will be ready for a half ironman next summer. The distances for this are swim 1.2 miles, bike 56 miles, and run 13.1 miles. You have 8 hours to cross the finish line.

While I am technically still unable to run, I know that I am almost there. My ankles rarely hurt anymore, and I have been playing intense ultimate frisbee every week now. I know that means I have been running, but in my opinion the doctor only told me that I could not do long-distance running. Frisbee is a lot of sprinting back and forth so hopefully I am not breaking the rules on that one. ;)

Part of being ready for a half ironman next summer will also require making an investment into a new bike. My trusty hybrid has been good to me...actually on second thought it really hasn't. The chain pops off anytime I try to downshift, and the tires have way too much traction for longer rides. I am hoping to buy a Cannondale. I love the feel of those bikes, and they are popular in the triathlon community. However it will take some time before I can afford one, so until then I continue to train on my (un)trusty hybrid.

Boise 70.3 is scheduled for June 12, 2010 which is a Saturday. The problem with this one is that it is in Idaho and will require some tough hill climbs. I would need to fly to Boise a few times before the actualy event to train in the climate as it is very different from what I am used to on the East coast. These are some of the factors I am trying to weigh into my decision and therefore I have not signed up yet. I hope to make a final decision in the next few weeks. Since it is one of the few races that does not take place on a Sunday, it may end up being my best bet.

Any thoughts? Has anyone done this race before??

Setting SO BIG goals...

"Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind!" Stake Conference Boston 2007

I was reading through an old journal and I found that quote. Unfortunately I didn't write down the name of who said it. More than likely it was the Stake President. It sounds like something he would say.

Setting the goal of becoming an Ironman before my 30th birthday is definitely a huge goal. If you know me, you know that it is a super huge, and seemingly impossible goal. I know that when I achieve it, it will totally blow my mind.

Sometimes it is hard to stay motivated when we make long-term goals. I am definitely going through one of those phases. I know that it is the challenging times like right now that will make the victory even better. When I cross that finish line one day, I will be filled with emotion.

Crossing the finish line is a day I constantly dream about. I have to admit, sometimes I don't think I am capable of it. I am too big, losing weight is taking too long, and I have too many health issues. Those are some of the things I think about when I get in this mood. But then I think about the joy that will come from crossing the finish line, and I kick my butt back into gear.

I have set a goal so big that when I achieve it, it will blow my mind! That will open the door for me to share my testimony. I know that God lives. I know that his son, Jesus Christ, lived, he died, and he lives again. I know that one day I will have the opportunity to return to live with him. I am thankful for his love, and for the atoning sacrifice of my savior Jesus Christ. I want everyone to have the comforting love that comes with this knowledge.

I hope that one day I will be able to share this testimony with people all over the world. I especially dream of the day I will be able to motivate the youth to set SO BIG goals. If I can finish an ironman (which I can and will one day) then I know nothing is impossible. ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!

Got milk? Got a sippy cup?

I love milk! Actually that is the understatement of the century. Drinking a big cold glass of milk is how I start and finish most days. I also drink a glass with most of my meals throughout the day. Don't get me wrong, I am a big water fan as well...but nothing beats my addiction to milk.

I do drink skim milk so hopefully it is not too bad, but nonetheless I am working on cutting back and making the switch to more water. With all of the training I am doing it is important to stay hydrated.

In order to help cut back, I have started drinking my milk from a sippy cup. The kind that are made for toddlers. You have to work really hard to get the milk out of the cup. It is built like this so that if a toddler drops the cup it doesn't spill all over. I have found that it helps me to drink less because I have to take smaller sips. Therefore I get just enough to quench my thirst but I am not guzzling the whole glass in seconds.

Anyway, not sure if anyone else has this problem, but for me it has been very helpful over the past week. When I had my jaw surgery years ago I had to eat lots of baby food (even though I was 16) because I couldn't chew anything but needed the nutrients. I always said that eating baby food was an awesome diet! Well this sort of takes a little of that 16 year old mentality...but just using baby tools...not eating baby food. :)

Discover the Champion in YOU!

Every Sunday I watch Joel Osteen on TV. I know he is not of my faith, but he is very inspirational. These are some of my notes from today. Sorry if they don't make a lot of sense to you.

Today's message #414 was on explosive blessings. Some of us are planning on having an average year, but God is planning on an extraordinary year. He has supernatural opportunities, supernatural healing, and his is planning on doing supernatural things in our lives. It is going to be a year where new seeds of promise will be planted in our lives.

Joel talked about three words we have to constantly repeat when things look down, "Lord I Believe." Whenever we think we can't do something we are told to do, just say "Lord I Believe." There are so many biblical (and for that matter BOM) stories that show the way the Lord can multiply our strength but we just have to believe and be ready for the supernatural and amazing things that will be done in our life.

I want to dare to believe in supernatural increase. I know my job is not my source, but God is my source. When we put our faith out there we are allowing God to show up and do supernatural things.

PSALM 37:4 says "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." God is longing to be good to us but we have to get our thoughts in the right direction.

Genesis 18:14 is where God said to Sarah "Is any thing too hard for me Lord?" Joel even said we could phrase that "Is there anything too wonderful for me Lord?" I like that. We have to make a decision to stay in faith. When we believe it sets a series of events in motion.

I have the faith to know that I am going to see supernatural increase and explosive blessings. Without that faith I would not be able to even dream about becoming an ironman.

He even talked to us single people...He encouraged us to know that someone great is going to come into our path. We just have to believe that we will be in the right place at the right time to meet that great person. God knows what we need and how to get it to us.

For more information on Joel Osteen visit his site at www.JoelOsteen.com

My Custom Orthotics are AWESOME!

I know I was technically told to hold off on running for at least another couple of weeks. However, on Friday my custom orthotics came in. They are amazing. I was told to only wear them for a few hours the first few days to slowly build up to getting adjusted to them. I 'accidentally' wore them all day on Friday. Then on Saturday I played ultimate frisbee in them. Which as you know has a lot of running!

I continued to wear them the rest of the day on Saturday. I even did some light short jogging Saturday night, and my feel still feel great. I am going to keep taking it easy because I don't want to mess anything up, and obviously the treatment is working. But at the same time it is really hard not to run when my feet and ankles feel better than they have in years! This is truly an answered prayer.

I have always said my weakest link in the ironman is the run...hopefully with my feet getting better I will be able to run more and improve making the run my strongest link! Wouldn't that be incredible!!?? I mean after all in 7th and 8th grade I did cross-country. So I should be able to go 26.2 miles now that I am older but still young. We shall see. I am super excited to try and now I cannot wait for my next doctors appointment. I hope he tells me it is okay to start training again!!! Wish me luck.

I can Go the Distance

I have never been a fan of Michael Bolton, even as musical as I was.  I always thought his music belonged in an elevator and never on someones collection of favorites.    That being said, one of my new favorite's is actually a Michael Bolton song.  But it is from the Disney movie "Hercules" so it is ok.    Here are the lyrics:   I have often dreamed of a far off place Where a hero's welcome, would be waiting for me Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face And a voice keeps saying, this is where I'm meant to be   I'll be there someday, I can go the distance I will find my way, if I can be strong I know every mile, will be worth my while When I go the distance, I'll be right where I belong   Down an unknown road to embrace my fate Though the road may wander, it will lead me to you And a thousand years, would be worth the wait It might take a lifetime, but somehow I'll see it through   And I won't look back, I can go the distance And I'll stay on track, no, I won't accept defeat It's an uphill slope, but I won't lose hope Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete   But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part For a hero's strength is measured by his heart   Like a shooting star, I will go the distance I will search the world, I will face its harms I don't care how far, I can go the distance Till I find my hero's welcome, waiting in your arms   I will search the world, I will face its harms Till I find my hero's welcome, waiting in your arms     I just think that is an amazing song.  It is definitely getting added to my play list.  I think we can all be hero's.  A hero to me is someone who goes the distance [in anything].  Sometimes life is hard, but with the strength that comes through faith, anything (and I mean anything) is possible!    I know I will cross that finish line one day.  I hope it is before I turn 30.  I can go the distance!